Utility Laborer - Underground and Aerial

Position Summary

The Utility Laborer supports Miller Utilities’ underground and aerial utility construction operations by assisting drill crews, aerial crews, operators, foremen, and project teams with day-to-day field activities. This position helps safely prepare and maintain jobsites, handle materials and equipment, support underground installation and aerial cable work, and contribute to the crew’s overall safety, quality, and production. Employees may be assigned to either type of crew based on project needs. Willingness and ability to travel, including overnight stays and extended assignments away from home, is required for this position.

Essential Responsibilities

· Assist with jobsite setup and tear-down, including signage, cones, barricades, and traffic-control measures.

· Load, unload, stage, and distribute tools, materials, pipe, conduit, cable, aerial hardware, and equipment.

· Support drill crews with rod handling, mud management, tooling, potholing, and other daily production activities.

· Assist with locating and safely exposing existing underground utilities using approved procedures and equipment.

· Perform hand digging, shoveling, trenching, backfilling, and restoration activities as directed.

· Assist with installing conduit, pipe, handholes, warning posts, and other underground utility infrastructure.

· Support aerial crews from the ground with cable reel setup, cable handling and pulling, material staging, and preparation of hardware and tools as directed.

· Assist with aerial cable installation and maintenance by keeping work zones clear, managing tools and materials, and helping position equipment under crew direction.

· Perform assigned tasks only within training and authorization; use required fall protection for any elevated work and follow all requirements for working near overhead lines.

· Safely operate hand tools, small power tools, and other equipment under direction.

· Help operators and foremen maintain a safe, productive, clean, and organized jobsite.

· Maintain orderly work areas, vehicles, trailers, tools, and equipment.

· Complete basic vehicle and equipment inspections; promptly report damage, maintenance needs, and safety concerns.

· Follow all Miller Utilities safety policies, procedures, job-specific requirements, and PPE expectations.

· Participate in daily tailgate safety meetings, training, and jobsite planning.

· Communicate professionally with crew members, supervisors, customers, contractors, and the public.

· Perform other duties as assigned to support operations and project requirements.

Required Qualifications

· Valid driver’s license.

· Current DOT medical card, or the ability to obtain one when required for the position.

· Ability and willingness to learn underground and aerial utility construction practices and the safe use of tools and equipment.

· Ability to follow directions and work effectively as part of a crew.

· Ability to work safely around heavy equipment, underground utilities, overhead lines, aerial work zones, and active roadways.

· Ability to perform physical labor for extended periods.

· Must be willing and able to travel to assigned project locations, including overnight stays, multi-day travel, and extended periods away from home. Travel is a required condition of this position.

· Dependable, with regular and punctual attendance.

Preferred Qualifications

· Previous experience in underground or aerial utility construction, telecommunications, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), excavation, cable installation, or general construction.

· Experience working around excavators, directional drills, vacuum trucks, skid steers, bucket trucks, cable reels, or similar construction equipment.

· Familiarity with hand tools and small power tools.

· Experience with potholing, excavation, conduit installation, backfilling, restoration, aerial cable installation, roadway work, or traffic control.

· Strong communication and teamwork skills, with a demonstrated willingness to learn and take on additional responsibilities.

Physical Demands and Competencies

· Regularly lift and carry 50–60 pounds and occasionally handle heavier materials with assistance or proper equipment.

· Stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, shovel, dig, and perform repetitive physical movements throughout the workday.

· Maintain situational awareness and work safely around heavy equipment and active construction operations.

· Work outdoors for extended periods in varying and occasionally extreme weather conditions.

· Demonstrate reliability, a strong work ethic, attention to detail, effective communication, and a willingness to learn.

· Commit to Miller Utilities’ expectations for safety, quality, production, and customer success.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily outdoors, year-round, in conditions that may include extreme heat or cold, rain, snow, mud, wind, uneven terrain, dust, construction noise, vibration, heavy equipment, active roadways, underground utilities, overhead lines, and aerial construction operations. Required PPE must be worn, and all safety policies and procedures must be followed at all times.

Travel Requirements

Travel is a required condition of this position. Miller Utilities performs underground and aerial utility construction throughout Minnesota and surrounding states. Employees must be willing and able to accept assignments that include day trips outside their normal reporting area, overnight or multi-day travel, and extended periods working away from home. Employees must arrive at assigned locations on time and be prepared to work safely and productively.

Work Schedule

The typical schedule is Monday through Friday; however, project requirements may require early mornings, evenings, weekends, overtime, or extended workdays. Schedules may change because of weather, project deadlines, customer requirements, or emergency work. Regular and punctual attendance is an essential function of the position.

Career Development

Miller Utilities develops employees from within. Team members who demonstrate strong performance, reliability, safety awareness, and a willingness to learn may have opportunities to advance along the Miller Utilities career path, including Operator, Foreman, Field Enablement, and Project Management positions.

Our Values

· Strive for Excellence

· Focus on Results

· Ensure Customer Success

Equal Employment Opportunity

Miller Companies is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Miller Companies may revise this description as business needs change.

Pay: $20.00 - $28.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Willingness to travel:

• 100% (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $20 - $28